Screening for latex allergy with a questionnaire: comparison with latex skin testing in a group of dental professionals.

BACKGROUND: Latex allergy has emerged as an important cause of allergic reactions particularly in health workers. Due to the lack of a standardized extract for objective skin testing a screening questionnaire was developed. METHODS: At the 1995 Australian Dental Association Conference, all attendees were invited to complete a questionnaire and undergo skin testing to assess the level of latex allergy in this population and to assess the performance of the questionnaire as a screening test for latex allergy. RESULTS: The questionnaire had high specificity but poor sensitivity compared to skin testing with latex extract. CONCLUSION: This study compares at risk individuals identified by a screening questionnaire with those identified by objective skin testing. A questionnaire designed to screen for latex allergy was reliable for identifying those with low risk while overestimating those at risk of true latex allergy, demonstrating the need for objective testing with reliable allergens.